Crevicular fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8, -13, and TIMP-1 levels in type 2 diabetics.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) enlarged and if so the quantum of such increase in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), MMP-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1).

METHODS: Subjects (n = 73) were divided into five groups as follows: 12 DM patients with gingivitis (DM-G), 12 DM patients with periodontitis (DM-P), 12 systemically healthy patients with gingivitis (H-G), 13 systemically healthy patients with periodontitis (H-P) and 24 periodontally, systemically healthy volunteer subjects (H-C). Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements were performed at six sites per tooth. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained from two sites representing the clinical periodontal diagnosis in single-rooted teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of MMP-8, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were analysed by immunofluorometric MMP assay (IFMA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were tested statistically by parametric tests.

RESULTS: All clinical periodontal measurements were similar in both diabetic and systemically healthy patients with periodontal disease (all P > 0.05). Total amounts of MMP-8 in GCF samples were significantly lower in H-C group than DM-G, DM-P, H-P groups (all P < 0.05). Matrix metalloproteinase-13, TIMP-1 total amounts were similar in study groups (P > 0.05). Diabetes mellitus patients exhibited similar levels of MMP-8, MMP-13, TIMP-1 with systemically healthy gingivitis/periodontitis patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, DM does not seem to significantly affect GCF levels of MMP-8, MMP-13, TIMP-1 or clinical periodontal status.